The MV Manu’atele had to put off its trip to American Samoa on Tuesday after strong currents wreaked havoc at the Matautu Wharf and in the process damaged the ship that was chartered to take Samoan workers to Pago Pago.

StarKist Samoa management had requested the American Samoa Governor for the MV Manu’atele boat to travel to Apia to bring workers who hadn’t returned after the holidays and also recruits.

The strong currents are not new according to the officials however its impact has been felt by those whose trips had to be put off as they were making their way to work.

Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) for Samoa Shipping Corporation (S.S.C.), Leiataua Samuel Phineas confirmed that the S.S.C. employees were on standby on Monday as the currents weren't looking promising.

"This is not new especially during the wet seasons at the beginning of the year and mid-year as well and it's not so much the wind but the ocean currents which is always affecting the coast," he told Samoa Observer.

"We tried to lock the Lady Naomi at the wharf but the currents kept getting stronger so we did an operation to drift it outside of the wharf (at the pilot station) and it was a successful operation."

The Samoa Ports Authority (S.P.A.)'s SAULA-60 tug boat is out in the reef assisting with the Lady Naomi IV, holding the boat steady through ropes so it won't drift away or capsize until the ocean currents cool down.

The Lady Naomi IV sustained major damages to its rails, and bollards, as well as dents on its body from when it continuously collided against the wharf.

An affected passenger and Starkist worker Emile Lafua had an emotional farewell with his family in Falelatai and had taken the early morning ride to the Matautu Wharf just to wait for eight hours for another ride home as their trip was postponed.

"I would say it's good news because I still haven't had enough time to spend with my family but on the other side, it's also sad having to go through all of this," he said.

"We work there for a reason and that's to earn for our families and our jobs are affected a little bit by this but the frustration of waiting here at the wharf for hours for another ride to go home is another story."

Another worker Faaotaga Iosefo shared similar sentiments saying he was looking forward to leaving on Tuesday to start work but the ocean currents were too unkind.

"I've never experienced this in my whole life and it's frustrating enough to wait here at the wharf just to be told that we won't go until tomorrow (Wednesday)," he said.

"In terms of our employment, I just hope it won't be canceled tomorrow again because we can't afford to lose another day of work because we are the breadwinners for our families maybe not for all of us but for me, I am."

Meanwhile, asked whether the government is doing something to prevent this from continuing to happen, Leiataua said the Breakwater Project is currently underway to combat this ongoing concern for the wharf.

The project is being carried out by a Chinese company at the Matautu Wharf. It is expected to reduce the intensity of wave action in inshore waters, providing safe harbourage for the boats.